New features & changing offerings from library audiobook vendors. The deluge of new download patrons checking out local library online offerings has caused budget managers to shift funds from physical to digital offerings, while economic woes demand the biggest bang for the library buck. Although eBooks are catching the current spotlight, audiobooks have long been the mainstay of the digital collection. But the major players in the audio library digital download marketplace have made some major changes through company acquisitions, in platform look & feel, content offerings, publisher availability, and more. If you haven’t compared vendors recently, it’s time to take a look at what’s new. Check out my most recent “Voice in My Head” column “Digital Deluge” from the Sept. 15 Booklist for audiobook news you can use.

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Mary Burkey is an independent library consultant in Columbus (OH). An enthusiastic audiophile, she has served on all four of ALA's audiobook award committees as well as the Audies. In addition to writing the "Voices in My Head" column for Booklist, she is the author of Audiobooks for Youth: A Practical Guide to Sound Literature (ALA, 2013). Follow her on Twitter at @mburkey.

One of my favorite things about working in a school is the school year cycle itself. I love the momentum and the sense of change. There’s a clear beginning (New school supplies! Bright ideas for lessons! Brand. New. Books!) and a clear end (Collecting all the books! End-of-year reports! Putting in final grades!). OK, the […]

When I started my “mystery mystery” project last year, I really enjoyed going through my collection and pulling mysteries to put into brown paper bags in order to entice students to read those books. I grew nostalgic thinking of my own mystery-loving self as an elementary school kid. But as I wrapped up the books, […]

Cindy: Tomorrow, Thursday, April 27th is Poem in Your Pocket Day, and I hope you’ll celebrate. It’s the perfect chance to encourage sharing poetry; the link above lists many great ideas for classrooms and libraries. Last year, I shared a few display ideas. This year, a volunteer got creative with the big pocket I made and crafted a […]

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One of my favorite things about working in a school is the school year cycle itself. I love the momentum and the sense of change. There’s a clear beginning (New school supplies! Bright ideas for lessons! Brand. New. Books!) and a clear end (Collecting all the books! End-of-year reports! Putting in final grades!). OK, the […]

When I started my “mystery mystery” project last year, I really enjoyed going through my collection and pulling mysteries to put into brown paper bags in order to entice students to read those books. I grew nostalgic thinking of my own mystery-loving self as an elementary school kid. But as I wrapped up the books, […]

Cindy: Tomorrow, Thursday, April 27th is Poem in Your Pocket Day, and I hope you’ll celebrate. It’s the perfect chance to encourage sharing poetry; the link above lists many great ideas for classrooms and libraries. Last year, I shared a few display ideas. This year, a volunteer got creative with the big pocket I made and crafted a […]